Datang Ancient Village

Datang Ancient Village

Datang Village is located in the southwestern part of Qiaochong Town, Lufeng City. There is a river on each side of the village, running from north to south like jade belts encircling the area, hence it was originally called "Jindai Tang" (Golden Belt Pond), later abbreviated to "Dai Tang," and eventually known as "Datang." The local dialect is Southern Min Hokkien.

Datang Village was first built in the fourth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1371), covering a total area of approximately 11 square kilometers. It preserves a large and well-preserved cluster of Minnan-style ancient dwellings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, making it one of the best-maintained clusters of such architecture in eastern Guangdong. Lu Wenqi, a prominent overseas Chinese businessman from Datang who became a leading figure in the revival of the Penang Huizhou Guild in Malaysia, donated a substantial sum in 1924 to construct 60 shophouses with arcades in the village, covering an area of 100 acres. These structures still stand today, forming a rare and remarkable sight in eastern Guangdong.

Datang Village is a settlement primarily of the Lu clan, who share common ancestry. The village currently has a population of around ten thousand, divided among South Community, North Community, Mingzhu Village, and Xinxiang. Inside the Grand Ancestral Hall of the Lu family hangs an imperial ranking list from the Kangxi era and a wall inscription dedicated to the Lu Ancestral Hall by Lin Zexu, reflecting the area’s profound historical and cultural legacy.

Datang Village: Located to the west of Qiaochong Town, Datang is the first village along the western road of the town, less than 1 kilometer from the town government. It borders the Wukan Harbor basin to the north and enjoys convenient transportation. The village consists of four natural hamlets and eleven villager groups. Datang covers a vast area with few hills but abundant farmland, characterized by a hilly terrain. The village boasts a long history and culture, and many of its emigrants work in public service and government positions. It currently has a total population of 8,568. The main agricultural products include rice, sweet potatoes, and lychees, while fish and shrimp farming have also reached a considerable scale. … Datang Village detailed information ++